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WARWICK, R.I., Aug. 8, 2013 — InsureMyTrip, the leading online travel insurance comparison site, reported Tuesday an increase in the number of travelers seeking to postpone or cancel trips abroad in light of the worldwide travel alert. Earlier this week, the Department of State issued a terror alert, citing a continued potential for terrorist attacks, particularly in North Africa and in the Middle East and possibly the Arabian Peninsula. As an additional security precaution, dozens of U.S. embassies and consulates remain closed till Saturday and travelers are cautioned to be vigilant.

“Travel safety is always our top priority and the InsureMyTrip customer care center is closely monitoring this situation and working to best assist travelers. Americans are clearly heeding the warnings issued and reevaluating travel plans in response to this latest terror alert,” says CEO Jim Grace of InsureMyTrip. “Many Americans – even those planning to travel abroad after the travel alert expires — are taking extra precautions and requesting travel insurance policies that can offer more protection.”

InsureMyTrip recommends that travelers seek clarification on insurance policies prior to leaving the U.S. Travel insurance may not always apply as people expect it will in cases of political and civil unrest that cause instability in different regions around the world. Most basic policies do not cover trip cancellations in response to travel alerts or warnings.

Travelers seeking insurance protection may be eligible for a Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) option to enable cancellations until 48 hours prior to your scheduled departure. You can take greater personal responsibility for your safety with CFAR, because you will have more flexibility to change your mind about your travel plans for any reason. On average, most CFAR plans reimburse up to 75% of the insured trip cost. Some offer more, and some offer less depending on the plan.

For travelers interested in the CFAR plan, It is important to purchase the policy soon after you make a deposit for your trip to get the most benefits from the plan. Customers need to purchase the CFAR plan usually within 10 to 21 days of their initial deposit and meet all eligibility requirements, to be eligible for the coverage.

InsureMyTrip recommends all U.S. citizens traveling abroad to enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for latest security updates. This program also makes it easier for the U.S. embassy or nearest U.S. consulate to contact you in an emergency.

In addition, customer care representatives can also review a customer’s policy, even if it was purchased elsewhere.